Celtics
Published: Jan. 18, 2026, 5:51 p.m.
Grizzlies Celtics Basketball
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
DETROIT — The Celtics could return a key starter ahead of their 8 p.m. Monday game against the Pistons. Payton Pritchard is listed as questionable on the injury report with left ankle soreness.
Chris Boucher is questionable with low back spasms. Josh Minott (left ankle sprain) and Jayson Tatum (Achilles) remain out due to their injuries.
Pritchard sat the blowout victory over the Hawks, the first time he’s missed a game this season. The Celtics overwhelmed the Hawks on the night, with Sam Hauser hitting 10 3-pointers to nearly match a C’s franchise record.
Pritchard has been a consistent starter for the Celtics for the first time in his career this season. Baylor Scheierman ended up getting the start Saturday in Atlanta with Pritchard out. So it appears the Celtics want to keep Anfernee Simons in a reserve role even when they’re down one of their starting guards.
Monday’s game in Detroit features the top-2 teams in the East between the C’s and Pistons. The Celtics are 26-15 and the Pistons are 30-10 as both teams enjoy a season exceeding expectations. The Pistons currently own a 2-1 lead in the season series over the Celtics.
Souichi covers the Celtics for MassLive.com, starting in 2021. Previously, he covered Missouri athletics for the Kansas City Star, along with stops at the Detroit Free Press, Minnesota Star Tribune and The...more